Hong Kong’s position in Asia has undergone a significant shift over the past decade or two. Once a major manufacturing centre, most of that activity has shifted to the mainland. But Hong Kong remains the logistical and financial hub of Asia. Although its population is only 7 million, it is within 5 hours of half the population of the world - much like the relationship of Ottawa’s population to that of North America.

It remains a major centre for exports and has some 6,440 foreign companies, the Asian head quarters for many.

Angry passengers in the Beijing Airport.OCRI inks agreement with Zhongguancun Science Parkhttp://www.82000reasons.com/82000reasons-updates/2008/4/18/ocri-inks-agreement-with-zhongguancun-science-park.htmlSite Administrator2008-04-18T12:34:20ZChina mission, April 2008By Michael Darch

Zhongguancun Science Park, known as the Z-Park, redefines the concept of a Science Park. It covers some 230 square kilometres, has over 50 universities and 200 research institutes, a population approaching 4 million, 20,000 technology companies, and 1 million technology workers. It is the most critical of China’s 54 Science Parks. In Canada, it wouldn’t be a Science Park, it would be our largest city!

Beijing: A shock to the teamhttp://www.82000reasons.com/82000reasons-updates/2008/4/17/beijing-a-shock-to-the-team.htmlSite Administrator2008-04-17T12:26:27ZChina mission, April 2008By Michael Darch

I said in an earlier blog that Shenzhen was an eye opener for any of our team that had not been to China. Well, Beijing blew their socks off!

The new airport, the airport access roads, the clean streets, the Olympic stadium, the subway system, the ring roads, the architecture, the number of new buildings, the vibrancy, I could go on and on. The old myths are not only dead, they are buried.

]]>Clean energy success continues!http://www.82000reasons.com/82000reasons-updates/2008/4/16/clean-energy-success-continues.htmlSite Administrator2008-04-16T12:20:56ZChina mission, April 2008By Michael Darch

Another successful day for our clean energy mission and for the Canadian Consulate in Chongqing.

The day starts on a rather humorous note. Ioan Nistor of the University of Ottawa is talking to another guest in the gym and casually asks “What do you do?” The reply, “I’m the Mayor of Toronto, David Miller.” We may know by sight all our beloved Ottawa Senators hockey players and those of our arch rival the Toronto Maple Leafs, but Toronto politicians?

]]>Pop quiz: What is the world’s largest city by land area, population and growth?http://www.82000reasons.com/82000reasons-updates/2008/4/15/pop-quiz-what-is-the-worlds-largest-city-by-land-area-popula.htmlSite Administrator2008-04-15T17:10:25ZChina mission, April 2008By Michael Darch

The answer to all three is Chongqing, China.

Be truthful. How many of you got that one right? With a land area of over 70,000 square kilometres and a population of 32 million, it doesn’t even have a close competitor. Chongqing’s population rivals Canada’s. China has committed the resources to make Chongqing the country’s fourth city for development and its gateway to Western China.

]]>The new China: myths destroyedhttp://www.82000reasons.com/82000reasons-updates/2008/4/14/the-new-china-myths-destroyed.htmlSite Administrator2008-04-14T16:55:16ZChina mission, April 2008By Michael Darch

We are getting down to work in China now with our first stop in Shenzhen. And what a surprise to many of our team. Despite the constant barrage of information on the New China, old stereotypes are hard to die. Shenzhen is not China of the 20th century, it is a city of the 21st century that represents China’s original window into the global economy.

]]>Ottawa’s Clean Energy and Innovation Mission to China arrives with the usual minor glitches!http://www.82000reasons.com/82000reasons-updates/2008/4/13/ottawas-clean-energy-and-innovation-mission-to-china-arrives.htmlSite Administrator2008-04-13T16:37:41ZChina mission, April 2008By Michael Darch, from Shenzhen, China

Losing baggage is one thing, losing half your delegation is another. And so starts our Clean Energy Mission to China.

After months of planning and recruiting, we are on the verge of Ottawa’s Clean Energy Cluster’s debut on the world stage. Supported by Canada’s Community Investment Support Program considerable research has been done to profile one of North America’s highest concentrations of clean energy firms, research and infrastructure. Supported by Canada’s Going Global Program a four city China tour (Shenzhen, Chongqing, Beijing and Hong Kong) has been developed to showcase Canada’s commercial and innovation strength in clean energy.

82000reasons.com launches February 6, 2007http://www.82000reasons.com/82000reasons-updates/2008/2/6/82000reasonscom-launches-february-6-2007.htmlSite Administrator2008-02-06T03:09:19ZBy Michael Darch, Executive Director, OCRI Global Marketing

Welcome to the website where Ottawa companies and the people who make those companies world leaders
get to tell their stories!

• Ottawa is an untapped gem for companies in the knowledge business
• Wow, what a great place to live and…inexpensive
• Excellent technology here, where have you been?
  
• Isn’t it your job to let the world know what a great place this is?

Well, my team needs your help to let the world know what a great place Ottawa is to work and live. The technology now exist to let the story tellers tell the story — so we're giving you that opportunity.

We have seeded the site with some of the stories that make us a global phenomenon.  Now we need 82000 more. To find out how you can participate and tell your story, click here.

To read more about the 82000reasons.com campaign, see today's press release.

Hello Ottawa! We are looking forward to seeing what all those companies that we work with day-to-day can do to show the world why Ottawa is the best place to live, work and play!  We have 82000 reasons to celebrate, and we can’t wait to see the videos and read the stories behind those reasons.

This is your marketing campaign, your chance to shine. We look forward to your participation and welcome your feedback. Please have a good look around the site, leave us comments, and most importantly, submit a blog or video.

To read more about the 82000reasons.com campaign, see today's press release.

To find out how you can participate and tell your story, click here.